Representatives Blake Moore and Scott Peters, along with Senators Brian Schatz and Jim Banks, have reintroduced the bipartisan Build More Housing Near Transit Act. This legislation aims to encourage the construction of low- and middle-income housing in areas served by public transit.
The bill proposes linking federal transit funding competition to state and local housing plans near transit corridors. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of 7.1 million affordable rental homes in the United States. Utah alone faces a deficit of over 48,000 homes for extremely low-income renters.
“Housing has consistently been one of the most pressing issues for Utahns since I joined Congress,” said Rep. Moore. He emphasized that this legislation would condition federal transit grants on states reducing zoning barriers for housing near new bus or rapid transit lines.
Rep. Peters noted that “the cost of housing remains the greatest barrier to prosperity in California,” adding that their bill aims to reduce air pollution by encouraging more people to use public transportation.
Senator Schatz highlighted that “the clearest way out of our national housing shortage is by building more housing.” Senator Banks stated that the bill would cut red tape and allow communities to create family-friendly neighborhoods near public transit.
The proposed act directs the Department of Transportation to incentivize local governments to promote housing development around future New Starts projects’ transit corridors.
Todd Beutler, CEO of Connect Public Transit in Logan, Utah, praised the act as a solution aligning housing policy with transportation investment. Carlton Christensen from the Utah Transit Authority commended Representatives Moore and Peters for introducing this legislation.
Andrew Gruber from the Wasatch Front Regional Council expressed gratitude towards Rep. Moore and his colleagues for addressing regional housing needs through this initiative.
Mike Kingsella from Up for Growth Action applauded the bill’s introduction as it addresses critical links between transportation and housing. David Dworkin from the National Housing Conference endorsed the act for its potential impact on affordable housing supply.
Alex Armlovich from Niskanen Center noted that “the Build More Housing Near Transit Act finally corrects” previous shortcomings in mass transit project funding related to zoning regulations.
A letter supporting this legislation has been signed by over 100 national, state, and local groups.
